Significance Of Ghana - Iran Relations

NEWS COMMENTARY ON THE SIGNIFICANCE OF GHANA - IRAN RELATIONS

Ghana - Iran relations date back to the co–founding of the Non-Aligned Movement by the first President of Ghana, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah in 1961. Since then, the two countries have maintained a very historic special relationship, concretised in the establishment of embassies in each other's country.  The immediate past President of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, then, the 30th Secretary-General of the Non-Aligned Movement, visited Ghana in 2013, and held discussions with President Mahama.  Ghana's Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur also attended the inauguration of Hassan Rouhani who succeeded Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as President of Iran on 3rd August 2013.  We cannot underestimate the tremendous support Ghana receives from Iran especially in areas of health, education and agriculture. Iran clinic in Ghana is popular among many Ghanaians, not only for the high quality of service offered, but also its reasonable cost. We cannot also overlook Iran’s educational support and the fellowships granted to Ghanaian youths to study medicine and engineering in Iran. The establishment of an Islamic Azad University in Ghana equally allows Ghanaian youth from all religious denominations, to continue their graduate studies. Iran has also been involved in extending agricultural services to poor and remote communities in Ghana which help to increase production and food security in those areas. 

Having said that, there still exist a lot more areas where the two countries can cooperate. One can talk of fields of oil, gas, petrochemicals, technical, engineering and agricultural services. The mining sector, cement production, as well as home appliance manufacturing are potential areas where both sides can expand their relations. For many years, Iran was under international sanctions, accused of attempting to develop nuclear weapons. But after years of negotiations, the sanctions were eventually lifted last year. With the lifting of the sanctions and the implementation of the Plan of Action, Iran is now open to do business with the international community. There is no doubt that Iran has comparative advantage over Ghana in a lot of areas. It is quite possible for Tehran and Accra therefore to establish top-notch relations in industrial, agricultural, mineral, and commercial fields. 

President Mahama's visit, being the first by an African leader to Tehran in the post-sanction era, is therefore in the right direction. Already, as part of the visit, the two countries have signed two Memorandums of Understanding to cooperate in the fields of agriculture and quality assurance.  It is welcoming to hear Iranian Oil Minister said that Tehran intends to improve ties with Ghana, and is ready to export crude oil as well as petroleum products to Ghana. Yes, we need Iran’s oil and gas industries’ support to become an African power hub. For many years, government officials especially Presidents have come under severe criticisms for their taste for foreign trips. But instead of that populist stance, we need to evaluate the benefits which accrue to the state as a result of such travels. Yes, we have Embassies and High Commissions, headed by Ambassadors and High Commissioners, in most of the countries our leaders visit. But, the fact is the President is the Chief Diplomat and he ought to take the central stage in wooing investors into the country. This is an era of economic diplomacy, where countries must endeavour to make significant economic gains out of their foreign relations. The visit to Ghana last year by Iran's former President led to the establishment of a Permanent Joint Commission. The importance of such Joint Commissions cannot be overemphasized. 

The visit by President Mahama to Iran is certainly going to boost the ties between the two. In a meeting with the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, he pledged Iran's continued cooperation with African countries to enhance the continent’s progress and pledged that they would always remain faithful to the African cause and relationship. At this time that extremism and terrorism appear to be festering on parts of the continent, we need the support of every country to fight them. And Iran is definitely well placed to offer such kind of assistance. Long Live Ghana - Iran relations.

BY: BUBU KLINOGO, A JOURNALIST.